Hey, everybody!

[Lucy]

My name is Lucy. I've been lurking and planning for a while, but yesterday I actually bought a van and made this whole plan real. So here I am to feed off your experience and suggestions like a leech. &nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I got a 1996 Dodge conversion van, pretty basic but clean-looking, which hopefully will attract neither cops nor robbers. I'm taking it this weekend for a full tune-up and to have the middle bucket seats removed (they're bolted in, ugh). I promised myself I'd wait until making sure the van is good to go before I start remodeling the interior, but I have been making plans. Mostly simple, cheap plans.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>It's mostly circumstance forcing me into this, but I'm also incredibly excited to get going. If nothing else, now I have time to write that novel. My loose plan right now is to spend the summer in Washington and Oregon, and when it starts getting cooler head down to SoCal until it gets too hot. I'm fascinated by Slab City, I'll end up there for at least a little while.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So...that's about it for now. I have no doubt I'll have questions as I go along. I'm sure whatever my end-product is for setting up the inside of the rig, it won't be anything impressive compared to the ones I've seen here, but I'll snap a few pictures for posterity.&nbsp;</div>

 

[roadtested_websitetoolbox_import980]

<P>good luck Lucy.</P>

 

[owl]

<P>Welcome, here's hoping you have fun!</P>

 

[Tuesdayafterlunch]

<font size="2"><font face="Arial">Welcome here, Lucy!&nbsp; I envy you your van - I'm just getting started, too.&nbsp; And the plan to spend the hot summer in the cool PNW sounds mighty familiar, too...<br><br>Have fun planning, demo-ing and building!<br><br>Cheers,<br>K<br><br></font></font>

 

[akrvbob]

Welcome Lucy! You aren't alone in being forced into this life, many of us on the forum were. Hopefully you will be like us and find that you love this life!! Sounds like you have a great plan. if you haven't seen it, here is a story I did on living at the Slabs:<br>http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Slab_City.html<br><br>You will burn a lot of gas driving to WA state every year to beat the heat. I am currently not far from the Slabs in the high desert above LA. I am going to drive 300 miles up to the Sierra NF above Fresno CA. It is a beautiful place with lots of free dispersed camping. But the best part is the summers are perfect. Beautiful clear skies almost every day of summer and the highs in the upper 80s. Every so often it would hit 90, but because of the thick forest you can be in the shade and stay very comfortable. <br><br>The Summer Rubber Tramp Rendezvous is&nbsp; going to be there in June. If you are in the area, come on up and join us. Info here:<br>http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/Rendezvous_Summer_2012.html<br><br>If you are in the LA area, you are always welcome in my camp. I love to talk about vandwelling! Bob<br><br>

 

[Les H]

Hi Lucy, welcome to the forum!

 

[Lucy]

If you are in the LA area, you are always welcome in my camp. I love to talk about vandwelling! Bob<br><br>

<div><br></div><div>Careful what you offer, Bob, because if it's a bluff I might just call it. A couple of weeks mentoring with a pro like you is an offer I might just accept.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for the advice. I do love WA and OR, but I'm going to be living on the cheap so if it's bearable I'll probably stay in Cali.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Guest]

Hi Lucy, Welcome to our jolly little family of nomads....good to have you with us.<br>Good luck,<br>Bri<br><br>

 

[yesican]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Welcome Lucy to the brain picker forum.&nbsp; So many intelligent brains to pick from here.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Rae</p>

 

[akrvbob]

Lucy, that's no bluff! Every vandweller has a standing invitation to my camp.&nbsp; No problem being comfy all year in Cali, my only problem with it is the high cost of living. I prefer AZ because it costs less, especially gas!!<br><br>If you are coming by, it has to be soon. I'm leaving next week for the Sierras. But that isn't very far away and you (and everyone else) are always welcome in to my summer camp. I've been here in Victorville for 5 months, and I've had at least 10 other vandwellers come by to see me. The more the better!! Bob <br><br>